PL EURO THA L L IS— PR OMEN. EA —REN A NTH ERA — RESTREPIA . 



29 



and yellow, and have the appearance of being frosted. Nepal, 1850 (c). P. lagenaria. — A 

 bright and popular species. Flowers large ; rosy -lilac ; marked on the lip with yellow 

 and crimson. Himalayas, 1850 (c). (Fig. 79.) P. maculata. — Flowers white, blotched 

 with crimson, principally on the lip. India, 1850 (c). And P. precox. — Much like 

 P. lagenaria, but later flowering. Himalayas, 1810 (c). 



pleurothallis. — -This genus contains a large number of species, few of which are 

 suited for general cultivation ; but many are of considerable botanical interest, and one, 

 P. Barberiana, is called the " Gnat Orchid," on account of the flowers appearing like a 

 cloud of these insects. The plants are recommended to those who like something quaint 

 and structurally interesting. The culture is precisely the same as for Masdevallias, and 

 they are all natives of various parts of South America, Mexico, and the West Indies. 



PROMEN2EA. — There are several other species besides those given below, but these 

 are the more useful decorative kinds. They all thrive treated as advised for Odonto- 

 glossums. All are dwarf-growing epiphytes, and very interesting. P. citrina. — Flowers 

 small; pale lemon yellow, streaked and spotted with red on the lip. Brazil, 1838 (c). 

 P. Eollissoni. — Flowers larger than the last ; similar in ground colour, with purple 

 markings. Brazil, 1838 (c). And P. stapelioides. — Flowers greenish yellow, with bands 

 of purple or brown; lip deep purple. Brazil, 1830 (c). 



renanthera. — A genus of large-growing distichous-leaved plants, the stems in some 

 cases growing 5 or 6 yards high, and producing large spikes of showy flowers. They 

 require moist, tropical treatment, and something that their aerial roots can cling to, such 

 as a pole or long piece of Tree- Fern stem. Very little shading is necessary, and though 

 requiring abundance of moisture when growing, the plants should be kept much drier 

 during the resting season. They are most suited to large houses, and those named below 

 are the best for cultivation : E. coccinea. — Flowers on immense branching panicles, bright 

 reddish-crimson and orange; lip marked with white. Cochin China, 1816 (h). 

 E. Lowi. — A showy plant not very common. Flower spikes three or more yards in length, 

 and singular in having two descriptions of flowers. Those at the base of the spikes are 

 yellow, with a few dots of crimson, while those higher up are yellow with narrow sepals 

 and petals blotched with rich brown. Borneo, 1816 (k). E. matutina. — A smaller, 

 growing and a beautiful species. Flowers crimson, changing to yellow. Java, 1846 (h). 

 And E. Storei. — A fine species, allied to E. coccinea, but even showier. Flowers 

 bright crimson. Philippines (//). 



restrepia. — Not unlike Masdevallias in general appearance, and thriving under 



VOL. III. s 



